Conical self-tightening bearing



March 26, 1940. J. J. MOLZER CONICAL SELF-TIGHTENING BEARING 2 Sheets-Sheei 1 Filed July 29. 1958 Inventor A itorneys 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 nvenior A iiorneys & 7/ 3 2? J. J. MOLZER CONICAL SELF-TIGHTENING BEARING March 26, 1940.

Filed July 29, 1938 1.5" mm? In w v Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONIGAL SELF-TIGHTENING BEARING v John Joseph Molzer, Crete, Nebr. Application July 29, 1938, Serial No. 222,030

8 Claims.

My invention relates generally toself-tightening bearings particularly for internal combustion engines or the like, and particularly to self-- tightening bearing structures actuated to effect the tightening action by spring means operating in conjunction with ball bearing supported rollers, and an important object of my invention is to provide simple and eificient arrangements of this character. 7

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein for purposes of illustration I have shown preferred embodiments of my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a general schematic showing of "25 both connecting rod and Wrist-pin bearings of the internal combustion engine.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through Figure 2 approximately on the line 33.

Figure 4 is. a perspective view of the roller cage.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the pawls. I Figure 6 is a perspective'view of one of the 35 ratchet pressure applying and equalizing springs.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 5 generally designates an internal combustion engine crankshaft having a throw 6 which is modified in accordance with the present invention by the provision thereon of an enlarged tapered bearing surface 1 on which is rotatably and slidably fitted in the crankshaft end 8 of the connecting rod 9. The throw 6 adjacent the small end of the bearing surface 1 is provided 45 with a groove 36 having longitudinally arranged ratchet teeth H] which lean toward the bearing surface 1. A washer H engages the adjacent face of the connecting rod end 8 and against this rides a series of ball bearings l 2 mounted in a race l3 which is interposed between the washer H and the ratchet mounting cage l4, Between the opposite end of the ratchet cage l4 and a washer I5 is another series of ball bearings I6 mounted in a suitable race I1, and against the outer side of the Washer bears a helical spring l8 which is circumposed on the throw 6 and Whosev opposite end works against another washer l9 which abuts against the enlarged 'pportion of the adjacent crank 2|. By means of this arrangementthe spring I8 constantly urges the 5 assembly described, which is freely mounted on the throw 6, in a direction to urge the connecting rod end'B toward the large end of the tapered bearing surface I and thereby take up the wear which develops between the bearingsurface T and the connecting rod end 8. I

The ratchet mounting cage l4 and its ratchets 22 operate 'as means to positively prevent any receding action of the automatic tightening mechanism described. Thevcage comprises'upper and '15 lower sections 23, 24 which aresemi-cir'cular and provided on opposite longitudinal edges with companion pairs of lugs 25, '26-adapted to be clamped by suitable bolts 21, 28 to assemble the sections. Each section has at its opposite: ends internal projections 29, 30, respectively, to act as stops for the opposite ends of the T shaped pawls 22 which have ratchet teeth 32 arranged along one longitudinal edge thereof reversed with respect to the ratchet teeth It) on the throw 6 with which these teeth are engageable. The standard portions 33 of the pawls operate in respective openings 34 and 35 formed centrally through'the respective sections 23 and 24. outwardly bowed leaf springs 22 are, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, "30 interposed between the respective pawls and the radially outward boundary of the grooves in which the pawls work to keep the pawls evenly engaged with the teeth In on the throw 6 in any receding action of the cage 14 which may. tend -to take place during the operation of the crank shaft, in opposition to the spring l8, and the springs 22 aresufliciently strong in engaging the opposite ends of the outer edgeof the "pawls to keep the pawls evenly seated in the respective grooves 36 and 31 formed in thethrow fi and in which the ratchet teeth [0 are located, while permitting suificient radial 'moveme'nt of the pawls to enable them to jump over the teeth 10 y when urged by the spring I8 to take up wear in '45 the bearing. The springs 22 have openings slid ably accommodating the standard portion 33 0f the pawls. As soon as any receding action takes place in opposition to the spring it due to the operation of the connecting rod on the crankshaft, the pawls engage the ratchet teeth It and positively limit such receding motion and thereby keep the connecting rod end 8 properly engaged with the bearing surface 1 according to the amount of wear obtaining. The provisionof the 5 ball bearing assemblies is made to permit the connecting rod end 8 to rotate with respect to the cage M and to permit the cage [4, which is connected to the throw 6 to rotate freely relative to the crank 21, with a minimum of friction, the entire mechanism being properly lubricated by the oil in the crankcase of the engine and being capable of being lubricated in any manner desired consistent with conventional practice. The slant of the ratchet teeth permits of expansion of the bearing when, hot.

A substantially similar arrangement as that described above is employed in connection with the wrist pin 40 in the piston ll the wristpin ll) having a relatively large diameter and being provided with a conical bearing surface la on which the corresponding end 8a of the connecting rod is rotatably mounted, the pin being entered from the corresponding side of the piston in assembling. In this application of the invention the washer 59a corresponding to the washer IQ of the already described embodiment bears against the side wall structure of the piston instead of against a crank 28, but in all other respects the structure is similarly formed and arranged.

In the case of the center main bearing of the crankshaft two of the assemblies already ,described are used and disposed in opposite positions as shown in Figure l, with the operating spring [8b disposed therebetween so as to push the units in opposite directions to engage the conical bearings lb with the main bearing (not shown) formed generally similar to the connecting rod ends already described, that is, tapered to conform to the contour of the conical bearings 7b.

In the case of the end bearings of the crankshaft the washer Hlc is retained by a nut :12 threaded on the end of the crankshaft instead of being engaged either with the side wall of a piston or with the protuberance on a crank 20.

Although I have shown and described herein preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit the application of the invention thereto, and any change or changes may be made in the structure and arrangement of parts, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. In combination, a rotary element'having an abutment at one end, a conical bearing surface on said element having its larger and remote from said abutment, a bearing element having a tapering bore rotatably and slidably circumposed invention, what is on said conical bearing surface, ratchet teet-h' formed longitudinally on said rotary element between said abutment and said conical bearing, .a pawl engagingsaid ratchet teeth, carrier means supporting said pawl and permitting longitudinal movement of the pawl relative to said rotary element only toward said conical bearing surface, said carrier means being movable along said rotaryelement and having operative engagement with the bearing element, and spring means operating between said abutment and said carrier means and urging said bearing element along said conical bearing to take up wear therein, said pawl operating with said ratchet teeth to positively prevent unwanted receding movement of the said bearing element relative to said conical bearing, and spring means in said carrier means and operatively engaging said pawls foryieldably holding said pawls in a radially inward direction for evenly engaging said pawls with said ratchet teeth.

2. In combination, a shaft-like member having ,a stationary abutment and a stationary bearing tapered toward said abutment, said abutment and bearing being axially spaced along said rotor with the part of the rotor between them formed with ratchet teeth facing toward said bearing, a bearing element having a tapered bore turning on said stationary bearing, a cage slidably but non-rotatably mounted on said part of the shaft-like member, spring means interposed between said abutment and the adjacent end of said cage and forcibly engaging the opposite end of said cage with said bearing element, longitudinally arranged ratchet dog means in said cage and engaged with the ratchet teeth on said part, spring means for holding the dog means in engagement with the ratchet teeth and guide means carried by the cage for the dog means.

3. In combination, a shaft-like member having a stationary abutment and a stationary bearing tapered toward said abutment, said abutment and bearing being axially spaced along said rotor with the part of the rotor between them formed with ratchet teeth facing toward said bearing, a bearing element having a tapered bore turning on said stationary bearing, a cage circumposed on said part of the shaft-like member, spring means interposed between said element and the adjacent end of said cage and forcibly engaging the opposite end of said cage with said bearing element, and longitudinally arranged ratchet dog means on said cage and engaged with the ratchet teeth on said part, said ratchet dog means being mounted on said cage for radial movement relative thereto, and spring means on said cage urging said ratchet dog means toward engagement with said ratchet teeth.

4. In combination, a shaft-like member hav-' spring means interposed between said abutment and the adjacent end of said cage and forcibly' engaging the opposite end of said cage withsa'id bearing element, and longitudinally arranged ratchet dog means on said cage and enga ed with the ratchet teeth onsaid part, anti-friction thrust bearings arranged between the said spring means and said adjacent and of said cage and between the said opposite end of the cage and said bearing element.

5.'In combination, a shaft-like member having a stationary abutment and a stationary bearing tapered toward said abutment, said abutment and bearing being axially spaced along said rotor with the part of the rotor between them .formed with ratchet teeth facing toward said bearing, a bearing element having a tapered bore turning on said stationary bearing, a cage circumposed on said part of the shaft-like member, spring means interposed between saidabutment and the adjacent and of said cage and forcibly engaging the opposite end of said cage and with said bearing element, and longitudinally arranged ratchet dog means on said cage and'engaged with the ratchet teeth on said part, said cage comprising at least two complementary longitudinally divided segments with means securing the same together.

engaging the opposite end of'said cage with said bearing element, and longitudinally arranged ratchet dog means on said cage and engaged with the ratchet teeth on said part, means keying said cage to said part of said shaft-like member, said a spring means interposed between said abutment means comprising a longitudinal groove formed in said part and an interior lug on said cageentering said groove and longitudinally slidable therein.

7. In combination, a shaft like member having a stationary abutment and a stationary bearing tapered toward said abutment,said abutment and bearing being axially spaced along said rotor with the part of the rotor between them formed with ratchet teeth facingtoward said bearing, a bearing element having a tapered bore turning on said stationary bearing, acage. circumposed on said part of ,the shaft-like member, spring means interposed betwe'ensaid abutment and the adjacent end of said cage and Iorcibly engaging the opposite ,end of said cage with said bearing element, and longitudinally arranged ratchet dog means on said cage and engaged with the ratchet teeth on saidpart, said ratchet dog means having shank means extending radially through opening means formed in said cage, and spring means interposed between said cage and the main toward engagement with said ratchet teeth.

8. In combination, a shaft-like member hav ing a stationary abutment and a stationary bearing tapered toward said abutment, said abutment and bearing being axially spaced along'said' rotor with the part of the rotor between them formed with ratchet teeth facing toward said bearing, a bearing element having a tapered bore].

turning onsaid stationary bearing,.a cage cir-, cur'nposed on said part of the shaft-like member,

and the adjacent end of said cage and forcibly engaging the opposite end of said cage with said body of said dog means urging said dog means bearing. element, and longitudinally arranged ratchet dog means on said cage and engaged with the ratchet teeth "on' said part, said ratchet dog means having shank means extending radially through opening means formed in said cage, and

spring means interposedbetween said cage and the main body of said dog means urging dog 7 means, toward engagement with said ratchet teeth, the last-mentioned: spring means comprising a longitudinally arranged leaf spring.

- 101m osapn MOLZER, 

